'No bigger lie' than to say MSP will be scrapped: Modi defends farm laws

Prime Minister alleges 'political conspiracy' being opposition to three laws liberalising India's agricultural markets.

New laws giving farmers freedom in selling their produce have been brought in after a "lot of thought" but are opposed by political parties for selfish reasons, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday as he insisted that support price for agricultural produce will continue.

"Farm laws have not been introduced overnight. Over last 20-30 years, central and state governments had detailed discussions on these reforms. Agriculture experts, economists and progressive farmers have been demanding such reforms,” he said in a speech defending the reforms.

"Those who governed before us wrote tall promises in their election manifestos and gave big